Automatic lock for automobile doors



April 6, 1954 E. c. UBERBACHER 2,674,334

AUTOMATIC LOCK FOR AUTOMOBILE DOORS Filed June 6, 1951 2s Fl'g- 4 4 I56//4 26 INVENTOR.

/58 BY M406.

Patented Apr. 6, 1954 AUTOMATIC LOOK FOR AUTOMOBILE DOORS Edward C.Uberbacher, Ridgefield, Conn.

Application J unc 6, 1951, Serial No. 230,146

Claims. (Cl. 180-82) This invention comprises novel and usefulimprovements in looking systems and more particularly pertains to avehicle locking system whereby the doors will be locked whenever thevehicle is in motion.

An important object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lockingsystem whereby the doors will be locked when the vehicle is in motion,and unlocked when the vehicle is stopped, to thereby prevent theaccidental opening of the .doors when the vehicle is traveling.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a vehiclelocking system, in accordance with the foregoing object, together with asignal mechanism for indicating when the locks are in proper lockingposition, which signals are actuated in response to the position of themovable locking member.

An important feature of this invention resides :in the provision of alocking system including an electromagnetically operated lock having amovable locking member with a means for energizing the lock, a switchfor controlling energization of the lock, together with a mechanismresponsive to motion of the vehicle for closing the switch and energizethe locking mechanism.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a lockingsystem, in accordance with the foregoing feature, together with amechanism for operatively connecting the vehicle motion responsive meansto the speedometer drive cable, whereby the motion responsive means isactuated in response to driving rotation of the cable.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of alocking system which includes a solenoid having a locking member movablymounted thereon and electrically insulated therefrom, an electricallyinsulated keeper for receiving the locking member; signal meansoperatively electrically connected to the member to be actuated inresponse to electrical grounding thereof, an electrically groundedfinger disposed in the path of movement of the member as the lattermoves into locking position, and a stop means in the keeper forretaining the memher out of contact with the finger, whereby the memberwill be electrically grounded whenever it is actuated into its lockingposition, and does not move into the electrically insulated keepertherefor.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features are attainedby this device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective elevation view of a vehicle havingthe locking system mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of theelectromagnetioally actuated locks;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the speed responsiveassembly for controlling actuation of the locks; and

Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the locking system.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawingswherein a portion of a vehicle iii is illustrated, which vehicleincludes a dashboard l2 and a door i swivelly mounted on the vehicle formovement into and out of registry with the door frame it. As isconventional, a speedometer i8 is mounted on the dashboard I2 and isoperativcly connected to the ground engaging Wheels of the vehicle, by aBowden wire 20, and which wire includes a housing 22 and a drive cableM. as is best shown in Figure 3.

The electromagnetic lock, designated generally by the numeral 26,includes a U-shaped bracket 28 having a web 30, and legs 32 and 3d. Theleg 32 of the bracket is adapted to be secured to the vehicle frame It,and is provided with an outwardly flared opening 36 in alignment withthe aperture 38 in the frame. A plug do is molded or pressed into theopening 36, which plug has, for reasons which will later become apparentas the following description proceeds, an axial guide bore 42 therein.An annular contact finger 44 having an inwardly directed flange it isdisposed about the periphery of the plug Ml, and is secured, orotherwise disposed in electrical contact with the leg 32 of the bracket28, which finger is formed of an electrically conductive material.

The solenoid 48 is formed about a core 50, of electrically insulatingmaterial, which core has a plunger receiving bore 52 therein, and acounterbore 5 adjacent one end for receiving the annular finger 44, asis clearly apparent from a consideration of Figure 2. A pair of discs505 are disposed about opposite ends of the core, and retain thewindings or" the solenoid in position thereon, a suitable washer 58, ofelectrically insulating material, being interposed between the leg 32 ofthe bracket 23 and the adjacent disc.

An L-shaped support arm has one leg thereof secured, as by fastener 62,to the web 30 of the bracket 28, the other leg having an aperture 62therein for receiving the diametrically reduced outer end of the core50. As will be noted, the arm Bil serves to retain the adjacent disc 55in position on the core 5%], and also serves to support the corerelative to the leg 32.

A plunger 64 having a locking finger E8 on one end thereof and anaxially disposed rod $8 on the other end thereof, is reciprocablydisposed within the bore 52 in the core 50, with the finger B6 slidablyextending through the guide bore 52 in the plug til, and through thealigned opening 38 in the frame i'B. As will be noted from aconsideration of Figure 2, the inwardly directed flange 46 on theannular finger 44 is disposed in the path of movement of the plunger 64,as the latter moves into its locking position.

In order to yieldingly urge the plunger 64 out of lockin position, thereis provided a coil spring 10, one end of which engages the electricallyinsulating washer I2 which is disposed about the core 50, and abuts thearm 60, the other end of which spring engages a stop plate 14 on the rod68. It is contemplated that the spring I0, the stop plate I4, and therod 68 be of an electrically conductive material so that when theplunger 64 moves into contact with the flange 46 on the finger 44, theconductor I6 which is connected by the fastener 18 to the spring III,will also be electrically grounded. An adjustable stop member 80 iscarried by the leg 34 of the bracket 28, and is adapted to engage thecap 82, of electrically insulating material, on the end of the rod 68,to limit movement of the plunger 64, into its unlocking position.

A tubular keeper 84, having an end wall 86 is secured to one edge of thedoor I4, as by the mounting plate 88 which is molded or pressed intoposition on the open end thereof. The keeper is disposed in an opening90 in the door I4, in axial alignment with the locking finger 66 on theplunger 64, which keeper has an internally threaded bore 92 forthreadedly receiving an adjustable stop member 94 which is spring biasedoutwardly of the keeper, by a sprin member 96 which is interposedbetween the end wall 86 and th stop member 94. The stop member has aslot 98, or other type of keyway, to permit adjusting of the same. It iscontemplated that the stop 94 be so positioned as to engage the end ofthe locking finger 66, and maintain the plunger 64 out of engagementwith the contact finger 44.

A signal I (see Figure 4) which may be a warning light, or buzzer, iselectrically connected by a conductor I02 to the ignition switch I04,which switch is otherwise connected to the source of power I06. Thesignal I00 is also connected, by a conductor I08 to the conductors 16which are electrically connected to the plungers 64, in the mannerpreviously mentioned, whereby the signal will be actuated whenever theplunger 64 comes into electrical contact with th frame of the vehicle.Thus, when the door I4 is open, the stop 94 will be ineffectual to limitmovement of the plunger into its locking position, whereby the plungerwill contact the finger 44 and actuate the signal I00. Similarly, whenthe door is only partially ajar, the finger 66 will contact the portionof the door I4 adjacent the keeper, and complete the electrical circuitto ground, thereby energizing the lamp I00.

As it is contemplated that the electromagnetic locks 26 be energized,only when the vehicle is in motion, there is provided an assembly I I0,for controlling actuation of the locks, in response to movement of thevehicle I0. For this purpose, there is provided a housing II2 having aremovable bottom H4 fastened thereto, as by fasteners H0, and whichhousing has a shaft H8 journaled in the top and bottom walls thereof, asis best shown in Figure 3. A normally closed switch I20, having anactuating finger I22, is secured to the bottom wall II4 as by thesupporting flange I24. A plurality of elongated resilient strips I26,each having one end thereof secured as by fasteners and blocks I28 andI30, respectively, to one end of the shaft IIB, the other end of each 0!the strips being secured, as by fasteners I32, to a sleeve I34 which isslidably disposed on the shaft II8. Weights I36 are secured by fastenersI38 to intermediate portions of the strips I26, which weights areadapted to be centrifugally actuated outwardly in response to rotationof the shaft II8, to thereby reciprocate the sleeve I34 on the shaft. Acollar I40 is carried by the sleeve I34, for movement therewith, whichcollar engages the switch actuating finger I22 whenever the shaft I I8is not rotating, to maintain an open circuit, and which collar ismovable with the sleeve I34 out of contact with the finger I22, wheneverthe shaft H8 is caused to rotate, by means to be hereinafter described.

It will be appreciated that any suitable means may be provided forrotating the shaft H0 in response to movement of the vehicle I0, withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention. A convenient drive is bestillustrated in Figure 3 and includes a casing I42 which is mounted uponthe top wall of the housing H2, in any desired manner, the sheath 22 ofthe Bowden wire 20 being secured to one wall thereof, with the drivecable 24 extending through an aperture I44 in the opposing wall thereof.A sleeve I46 is secured to one wall of the casin I42, in alignment withthe openin I44 therein, which casing is otherwise secured to thespeedometer housing, and serves to support the assembly H0.Alternatively, any suitable bracket may be provided for mounting theassembly IIO on the vehicle dashboard or the like.

The drive cable 24 has a bevel gear I48 mounted thereon, which gear isin meshing engagement with a second bevel gear I50 carried by the outerend of the shaft IIB. It will thus be appreciated that whenever thespeedometer drive cable 24 is rotated, in response to movement of thevehicle ground engaging wheels, the shaft II8 will also be rotated so asto move collar I40 operatively connected thereto out of engagement withthe finger I22 of the switch I20, to thereby permit the switch to moveinto its circuit closing position.

As is best shown in Figure 4, the switch I20 is connected in series witha manual switch I52. by a conductor I54, which manual switch isconnected, as conductors I55, to the electro-magnetically operated locks25, which locks are otherwise connected to the ignition switch I04. asby conductor I58.

In operation, the ignition switch I04 is first closed so as to renderthe energy of the battery I05 available to the signal I00, and to theelectromagneticall operated locks 26. Additionally, the manual switchI52 is moved into its closed position, it being understood that themanual switch I52 is provided only for tie-actuating the solenoids if itshould, for any reason, he found desirable to do so. When the vehicle istopped, the collar I40 will depress the finger I22 on the switch I20,and maintain an open circuit, whereby the spring 'I0 may yieldinglyretain the plunger 64 into its unlocking position. However, whenever thevehicle is in motion, the speedometer drive cable 24 will rotate theshaft IIB, which will cause the centrifuga1ly actuated weights I36 tomove the collar I40 out of contact with the finger I22, and therebycomplete electrical circuit to the electromagnetically operated locks26.

If the door I4 is in its closed position, when the locks are actuated,the locking finger 66 on the plunger 64 will move into the keeper 84,and

abut the stop 94 disposed therein. This stop will retain the plunger outof contact with the finger M and, sinc the plunger will then beelectrically insulated from ground, the signals will not be energized.If, however, the door is open, the plunger *i l will move until itcontacts the finger 44, thereby completing the electrical circuit toground, and energizing the signal I00. Further, if the door is onlyslightly aiar, the looking finger 56 will contact the edge of the frameadjacent the keeper, to thereby establish an electrical circuit toground, and actuate the signal I00.

Although. the centrifugal switch is shown as being connected at thespeedometer end of the cable, it can also be connected to the other endbetween the cable and drive shaft.

As it is believed that the construction and operation of the device willbe readily understood from a consideration of the foregoingspecification and accompanying drawing, further description is believedunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications will readily occur tothose skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoingdescription, it is not intended to limit the invention to that shown anddescribed but all suitable modifications may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope'of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A vehicle door locking system comprising a solenoid adapted to bemounted on the frame of a vehicle, said solenoid having a movablelooking member mounted thereon and electrically insulated therefrom,said member having a, locking position and an unlocking position, meansfor energizing said solenoid to move said movable member into itslocking position, switch means controlling energization of saidsolenoid, an electrically insulated keeper adapted to be mounted on thedoor of the vehicle, said keeper being movable in a direction transverseto the direc tion of movement of said locking member and being adaptedto be axially aligned with said locking member when the door is in fullyclosed position and receiving said member when in its locking position,signal means, means electrically connecting said signal means to asource of power and to said locking member, and means disposed in thepath of movement of said member as the latter moves toward its lockingposition for electrically grounding said member to activate the signalmeans when said member i not aligned with said keeper, and stop means insaid keeper for limiting movement of said member and retaining thelatter out of contact with said member grounding means when said memberis in looking position in said keeper.

2. The combination of claim 1 including spring means yieldingly urgingsaid member into its unlocking position.

3. A vehicle door locking system comprising a solenoid having a movablelocking member mounted thereon and electrically insulated therefrom,said member having a locking position and an unlocking position, meansfor energizing said solenoid to move said movable member into itslocking position, switch means controlling energization of saidsolenoid, an electrically insulated keeper for receiving said memberwhen in its locking position, said keeper being movable in a directiontransverse to the direction of movement of said member into an out ofalignment with said member, signal means, means electrically connectingsignal means to a source of power and to said locking member, and meansdis osed in the path of movement of said membe: the latter moves intoits locking position for electrically grounding said member t activatesaid signal means when said keeper is out of alignment with said member,and stop means in keeper for limiting movement of said member andretaining the latter out or contact with said member grounding meanswhen said keeper is in alignment with. said member.

=1. In a vehicle door locking mechanism, a substantially U-shapedmounting bracket having first and second leg portions and a web joiningleg portions, said first leg portion having an opening therein, a plugfitted in the opening and having a guide bore, an annular contact fingerabout the plug and having an inwardly directed flange disposed over oneend of the plug, said finger contacting said first leg portion, a corehaving one end receiving the plug and finger therein, a support armsecured to the web and supporting the other end of the core, a solenoidformed about the core, a plunger slidably received in the core, alocking finger secured to one end of the plunger and slidably receivedin the guide bore of the plug, said flange extending radially inwardlyof the inner periphery of said core to be engaged by said plunger whenthe solenoid is energized, a rod fixed to the other end of said plunger,means engaging the rod and urging the plunger and rod toward the saidsecond leg portion, and a stop carried by said second leg portionlimiting sliding movement of the plunger and rod toward said second legportion.

5. In a vehicle door locking mechanism, a substantially U-shapedmounting bracket having first and second leg portions and a web joiningsaid leg portions, said first leg portion having an opening therein, aplug fitted in the opening and having a guide bore, an annular contactfinger about the plug and having an inwardly directed flange disposedover one end of the plug, said finger contacting said first leg portion,a core having one end receiving the plug and finger therein, a supportarm secured to the web and supporting the other end of the core, asolenoid formed about the core, a plunger slidably received in the core,a locking finger secured to one end of the plunger and slidably receivedin the guide bore of the plug, said flange extending radially inwardlyof the inner periphery of said core to be engaged by said plunger whenthe solenoid is energized, a rod fixed to the other end of said plunger,a conductive plate on the rod, a conductive ring about the core engagingsaid second leg portion, a conductive coil spring about the rod andbiased between the plate and the ring and urging the plunger and the rodtoward the second leg portion, a stop carried by the second leg portionlimiting sliding movement of the plunger and rod toward the second endportion, and a ground conductor connected to the ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,216,300 Farmer Feb. 20, 1917 2,139,193 Lamothe et al Dec, 6,1938 2,189,748 Wilson Feb. 6, 1940 2,339,170 Jacobs Jan. 11, 19442,369,713 Burgard Feb. 20, 1945 2,475,178 Church July 5, 1949 2,527,352Christian Oct. 24, 1950

